Award Winning Blog - Agitator

Lesson From Greenpeace: Closing The Deal

On July 25 I noticed, viewed and reviewed on The Agitator an online video produced by Greenpeace, titled Lego: Everything is NOT Awesome. It deals with oil exploration by Shell in the Arctic. I was hugely impressed and indicated my expectation that Greenpeace would probably do more than merely bask in the satisfaction that I […]

Learn More August 4, 2014

Video Improves Conversion Metrics

Why should you be using video in your online fundraising efforts? And in any other call-to-action email/online messages? Simple. Video improves conversion metrics. For example, here are some figures from Experian. Including the word ‘video’ in an email subject line increased open rates rose by 7%, conversion rates with a video rose by 21% and […]

Learn More August 1, 2014

Fundraising In A Multi-Cultural Context

We have been agitating for U.S. fundraisers, in particular, to widen their demographic horizons in planning their fundraising strategies … specifically with respect to engaging the ethnic and racial segments that are driving our population growth. [See here and here.] But I must confess to being asleep at the switch myself. Only when contacted by […]

Learn More July 31, 2014

Poor Or No Strategy — Barriers To Growth, Part 9

Look no further than how strategy is typically thought of by most nonprofits and their consultants and you’ll quickly understand why poor or no strategy is a major barrier to growth. First, what a meaningful strategy that leads to growth is NOT. Strategy that leads to growth is NOT asking three different copywriters to draft […]

Learn More July 30, 2014

The Fudge Factor

Prompted by the Agitator’s piece on The Power of Reciprocity, our friend Ken Burnett checked in from the U.K. to answer our request that readers share some examples of how ‘reciprocity’ has helped their fundraising. Ken’s example, drawn from his forthcoming book, Storytelling Can Change the World, tells of his first-ever fundraising experience and a […]

Learn More July 29, 2014

The Power Of Reciprocity

Another Tom Ahern gem arrived the other day. “What is a successful response rate for acquisition direct mail appeals, in which you ask strangers for a first gift? [ ] .125% (for every 800 appeals mailed, you receive one gift) [ ] .25% (for every 400 appeals mailed, you receive one gift) [ ] .5% […]

Learn More July 28, 2014